The Girls Go To Luzern

Carlos had to work today so it was just the girls!  What a truly fun day we had exploring Luzern...laughing the whole time.  I am truly blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.  I met Julie my senior year of college and we became fast friends and have traveled the US and world together.  I had the pleasure of meeting Katia and Carlos just 6 years ago when I helped them get settled in to their new country after being transferred from Brazil to Charleston.  We too became fast friends and I was so sad when they were transferred to Switzerland last year.  It has been so wonderful to spend time with them this week.  My goodness the laughing we've done...it truly is the best medicine.

Luzern was a contrast to the small villages/towns we visited on Sunday.  It felt more like a city with some history woven in with the modern buildings.  

After a short stroll, we made  our way to the Lowendenkmal (Lion Monument). This monument "to the bravery and fidelity of the Swiss" is dedicated to the more than 700 Swiss guards who died protecting Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution.

St. Leodegar im Hof

After a wonderful lunch full of lots more laughter, we headed over Chapel Bridge to make our way back to the car.  Chapel Bridge was built to connect the different medieval fortifications of the time.  If you look in the rafters as you walk across the bridge, you'll see the history of Luzern told in pictures.

From the bridge, you can see swans in the river.  These were a gift to the town by Louis XIV in the 17th century as a thank you for the protection he recieved from the city's guard.  Anyone sensing a theme that the French need a lot of protection over the years?

The town controls the levels of the lake to prevent flooding in the villages when the snow melts by adding and removing the wooden planks on the dam.  

Katia dropped Julie and me off at the hotel and then we headed to the Bahnhofstrasse for Julie to pick up a few Christmas presents.  As no trip to Switzerland would be complete without a meal of fondue, we headed to Le Dezaley as recommended by the concierge. We opted to have morels (aka mushrooms) added to our cheese and it was quite tasty with bread.  We also split a plate of dried meats and they were oh so good!  What a great end to a terrific day!